President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State.

He however dared terrorists by rejecting their demand to release their members held by security agencies. The demand was made as a condition to release the now-late Rabe and his wife. It was also made by the terrorists holding over 40 pupils, students and teachers abducted in Oriire, Oyo State.

General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him

President Tinubu in a statement issued by his Spokesman Bayo Onanuga yesterday, Saturday, June 13, 2026, commiserated with the family of the erstwhile Director of Defence Information, “especially his wife, who is still being held against her will by the captors.”

He also extended his condolences to the Katsina State government and the armed forces.

According to the statement, “While the terrorists have done their worst, the President wants them to know that the government will never bow to their demand to release their members held by our security agencies.”

Quoting Tinubu, “As I said on June 12: ‘Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.

“ ‘As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.

“ ‘General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared’.”

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